M15m Tracking  Transmitter

147.460 MHz  (CW)

The M15m Tracking Transmitter is a modified version of the M15 Animal Tracking Transmitter.  It has been designed to be used on 147.455 MHz using an inexpensive 49.152 computer crystal and for printed circuit board construction. 

The M15m transmitter is a crystal controlled on-off-carrier (OOC) transmitter designed for model rockets  but suitable for wildlife, balloons and  many other applications requiring a small,  frequency stable transmitter.  The transmitter works best with a receiver that has CW mode, however an FM receiver or scanner can be used if it has a S meter which can be observed during operation.  Transmitter ground range is approximately 400 yards (5 feet above ground)*.  Battery life is approximately 30 days of continuous operation.  Air to ground transmission range can be substantially greater than ground-to-ground range. Also the range can be increased significantly by using a directional high gain antenna or a more sensitive receiver.

 *Field tests and range measurements were done with a ICOM 1032 transceiver with 0.16 micro volts of receiver sensitivity through the standard 8 inch antenna.

 Specifications:

Frequency:                            147.455+or- .005 MHz
Mode:                                    On-Off Carrier (OOC or CW)
Signal:                                    carrier on and off every ½ to 1 second
Size:                                        0.7” x 0.6
Weight:                                  6.5grams (.23oz) including battery
Range (ground):                   400 yards with counterpoise
Frequency control:              Crystal (inexpensive computer crystal)
Battery life:                            up to 30 days (#394, 1.5 volt silver oxide watch battery)
Receiver /requirements:      144.455 - 147.460 MHz., 0.16microvolts sensitivity or better
                                                CW mode preferred for audio or can use S meter on FM radio
                                                2-meter amateur radio and some scanners.
Receiver Antenna:               directional antenna recommended but not required.
Other:                                     Knowledge of radio direction finding

TRANSMITTER
The transmitter is a crystal controlled 147.455 MHz transmitter.  The transmitter turns on and off at a 1/8 to 1 second interval. The circuit is designed to use a low cost “computer crystal”  49.152 MHz (3rd over tone), However, custom crystals can be used if other frequencies are desired.  If other frequencies are desired a 3^rd overtone series crystal can be ordered from a crystal manufacture.

 Power Supply
The transmitter is powered by one hearing aid/ watch silver oxide battery type 394.  Average battery life is 30 days with the 394 battery.

 Receivers
To achieve adequate performance you will need a receiver with at least 0.16 micro volts of sensitivity.  Most 2-meter Amateur (ham) radios are at least this sensitivity.  Scanners may or may not be sensitivity enough.

 Since this transmitter is not modulated you will need a receiver with CW mode if you want to “hear” the signal.  If you receive the signal on a FM receiver (like the ICOM W32A, transceiver the author used to test the transmitter) you will be able to observe the presence of the signal by watching the S-meter.  The sound you will hear on a FM receiver will be a decrease in the background noise when the transmitter turns on. 

Antenna
The transmitter antenna is 12 inches of 20 to 24 gauge common "hook-up" wire.  The range of the transmitter can be doubled by attaching a wire (counterpoise) of the same length as the antenna from the positive supply extending in the opposite direction of the antenna.  Both the counterpoise and the transmitter antenna can be coiled on a ½ to ¾  inch diameter to shorten the length of the antenna and to allow storage inside a payload compartment.  Coiling the antenna does shorten the range of the transmission. 

Construction:

Construction of the telemetry transmitter is straightforward. 

NOTE:  Be aware that the small size of the circuit requires that GREAT CARE be taken to prevent solder bridges when soldering.  Use a 20 to 40 watt soldering iron with a pencil sharp point; trim all leads after soldering and check each solder joint with a magnifying glass for bridges and solid connection. 

?         Please refer to the "Component Side View" illustration when installing parts.  All components are installed on the blank side of the board (not the foil side)

?         When installing components bend the leads to match the hole spacing.  Push the leads through the holes at the proper location being careful of polarity on the transistor.

?          Solder the leads on the foil side of the board being careful not to produce solder bridges.  Trim all excess leads immediately after each component installation

1.         If the crystal is not already installed on the printed circuit board (PCB), solider the crystal in place...

2.         Solder R2, 1.5K ohm (brown/green/red) resistor in the place shown

3.         Solder C1, the .001 microfarad capacitor in place (may be marked as 102)

4.         Solder C2, 22 picofarad capacitor in place (may be marked as 22 or 220)

5.         Solder C3, 3.3 microfarad capacitor in place (may be marked as 3.3). “+” end faces the middle of the printed circuit board.

6.         Solder L1, 0.63 microhenry coil in place

7.         Measure 3.25” of 22 gage magnet wire.  Using a knife carefully scrape the lacquer from the ends of the coil for about 1/2 inch.  Next construct the coil (L2) by close winding  4 turns of the magnet wire on the shaft of a 1/8"  drill bit shaft (or similar size form) and then slide the coil off of the drill bit shaft or form.  The coils should be tightly wound.  Solder this coil in place at location L2 making sure that the solder adheres to the bare portion of the magnet wire..

8.        Solder Q1, NTE107 transistor, in the place indicated.  Note the orientation of the case on the diagram.

9.        The battery holder consist of two jumpers, made from the trimmed off resistor leads, soldered flat against the component side of the circuit board.  These two jumpers form the negative battery terminal.  The positive battery terminal is made from a small metal paper clip and arches over the top of the batteries.  The depth of the arch should just be high enough to allow battery to fit under it.  After the “hold down wire” is soldered in place the top portion can be crimped as shown in the “Parts Diagram” to increase the tightness of the holder. 
Solder the two negative battery contact jumpers as shown (using leads from the previous  component  installations ).
 Solder the “hold down wire” as shown.

10.     Install the antenna.  Remove 1/2 inch of the insulation from one end of a 12.5” wire and feed through the hole in the circuit board as indicated.  Wrap the circuit board end of the antenna around the edge of the circuit board and twist it around itself on top of the circuit board. Solder the antenna to the circuit board and where it is twisted together.

11.     Install the counterpoise in the same manner as the antenna wire from the location indicated (opposite end of PCB from antenna).

12.     Because of varying operational parameters between transistors it is necessary to determine the resistance necessary to pulse the transmitter.  This is done by placing additional resistors in series with R1... 

• Solder one end of a 100K Ohm resistor (R1) at the location shown on the diagram in “hole #1”.  Stand the resistor vertically and let the free end extend straight up away from the board.
• 
• TEST… with your receiver ON and tuned to 147.455 MHz with SQL (squelch) OFF, place the battery in the transmitter making sure it is tight and the positive side is up.  Touch the free end of R1 to the battery hold-down wire (the positive battery terminal).  The transmitter should begin pulsing rapidly.  If it doesn’t start transmitting then check your assembly making sure there are no solder bridges or cold solder joints and everything is in the correct position.  Note: if your receiver does not have CW mode then you will see the S-meter expanding and hear pulsing static.  Remember this is an On-Off-Carrier (OOC) transmitter.
• If the transmitter is transmitting then the next step is to adjust the pulse rate by selecting additional resistors to add in series to R1. 
• Twist the end of R1 to one end of a 47K Ohm resistor (see diagram) and touch the free end of the 47K Ohm resistor to the hold-down wire (positive battery).  If the pulse rate is still two fast try attaching an additional resistor to the free end of the 47K Ohm resistor or use a 100K Ohm in place of the 47K Ohm.   Try different combinations until the pulse rate is to your liking. Note: adding to much resistance will stop the transmission and too little resistance will waste battery life by holding the transmitter on longer.
• 
• Because of space constraints try to limit the number of resistors in series to no more than 3.
• After the correct resistance is determined, it is time to solder the additional resistors on to the board.
• Remove the battery.
• Solder one end of the additional resistor to the spot shown (hole#2)
• If only two resistors are to be used tightly twist the free ends of the additional resistor and R1 together and solder.  Cut and remove excess wire.
• If three resistors are used twist and solder the three resistors together as shown.
• 

• Install the battery under the battery “hold down wire” with the positive side facing up.  When you are operating the transmitter on a mission you will need to secure the batteries with several wraps of tape to insure that the batteries do not jar lose during launch or recovery.

Field Testing:

1.        Install the battery.  Confirm operation of transmitter. Note that due to variations in crystal frequency the actual frequency of the transmitter will be in the range of 147.455 and 147.565 Mhz.

2.        Further secure the battery by securing it to the PCB with several wraps of electrician’s tape.

3.        Verify operation.

4.        Stand in the middle of an open short grassy area.  Swing the transmitter by the antenna and throw it in the air (straight up).

5.        Verify that the transmitter functions throughout the flight and after bouncing on the ground.

6.        If transmitter still functions it is ready for use in model rocket tracking.

7.        The two most common problems encountered in the test are.

?         Poor battery connections.  Make sure the battery clip is slightly bowed and firmly against the battery terminal.

?         Antenna wire not soldered to the circuit board adequately (cold solder joint).

Coating the circuit
If the transmitter is to be exposed to the environment or hot ejection gases it needs to be coated with a protective coating of polyurethane.  The circuit board and all the components with the exception of the battery and the battery terminals should be coated with 2 coats of polyurethane to protect the circuit from environmental factors.

 Operation
Have someone hide the transmitter and practice finding it before you use it on a mission. Note: there are several good references for radio direction finding (RDF) that you may want to read.  The ARRL Handbook has a chapter on RDF and can be found in most public libraries. Transmitter Hunting, by Joseph Moell, K0OV and Thomas Curlee, WB6UZZ is also a good book on the subject.  Both books can be bought from Amazon.com.

 Radio direction finding is best accomplished by using a receiver with a directional antenna like a “beam” or “Yagi“antenna, however a monopole antenna can be used by employing  the “Body-Fade” method.   Instructions for building two good inexpensive RDF Yagi type antennas can be found at http://www.theleggios.com. You might also need an RF attenuator for when you get close to the transmitter, so check those out as well.

 Body Fade:
If you use your body to shield the receiver’s monopole antenna a cardioid sensitivity pattern (see picture) is achieved.  The peak null position is approximately 180 degrees opposite the transmitter location. (Note that the patterns are not always as shown.  They can vary depending on the antenna, the way it is being held and objects in the area that may reflect the signal).

 The operator should take a reading by holding the receiver close to their stomach   The antenna should extend vertically and be about 6 inches in front of the body.  Turn slowly listening for the strongest signal (loudest beeping) or highest reading on the “S“ meter.  Move in the direction of the strongest signal (opposite the direction of the weakest signal).  Periodically stop and take another reading, adjust the course and continue to work towards the transmitter.  Since the “null” point is much narrower than the maximum signal point it may be easier to use the “null” point to establish the most accurate direction to the transmitter.  With a little practice a person can become quite efficient in locating the transmitter although the path taken will be somewhat zigzagged. 

 Directional Beam antenna:
A “beam” or “Yagi” antenna is probably the simplest and best all around choice for a directional antenna.  A simple 3 element antenna can be built for about $10.00 using common materials.  The sensitivity pattern shown below is when both the transmitter and receiving antenna is polarized vertically (the elements are pointing up and down).  If the antenna of the transmitter are not vertical then the pattern will be different unless the receiving antenna is orientated to match the transmitter antenna.  Since the transmitter antenna’s orientation is not always known some experimentation must be done with the receiving antenna.  (Note that the patterns are not always as shown.  They can vary depending on the antenna, the way it is being held and objects in the area that may reflect the signal).

Practice helps a lot!

M15m Tracking Transmitter 147.455 Mhz - 147.460 MHz

Parts Diagram

 Additional resistors to be used to set pulse rate 

100K               47K                 33K                 10K                 200K

 Order the Kit
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Copyright ©,Jerry Baumeister
4-8-2006